‘Students love Starbucks’

The Coffeehouse at Southwest Minnesota State University is serving up products with a familiar logo

September 3, 2013

MARSHALL?- Marshall High School senior Vincent Long heard rumors this summer about a Starbucks coffee shop opening in Marshall and when school let out early last week because of the heat, he used the opportunity to see for himself. He headed over to Southwest Minnesota State University with some friends to the former Java City coffeehouse.

Seeing the familiar Starbucks logos all around, he confidently ordered a vanilla bean frappucino, a cold coffee drink on a hot day.

"I heard rumors this summer that a Starbucks was opening at the college and that it opened last week, and we had to come," Long said.

Article Photos

Photo by Karin EltonVincent Long, a Marshall High School senior, enjoyed a vanilla bean frappucino last week at the Coffeehouse at Southwest Minnesota State University, which serves Starbucks products.

Haley Larson and Maddie Anderson, SMSU students and self-described "coffee snobs," were also among those hanging out at the Coffeehouse in the student center. They enjoyed some espresso and other coffee drinks.

"The coffee is very good," said Larson, a third year elementary education major. Larson also liked the renovated surroundings.

"It's more open," she said. "It's a good place to meet friends."

The coffeehouse has new paint and new signage, said Heidi Maro, the SMSU food service manager.

"We're still waiting for the signs for the walls," she said.

Maro said the food service department is open to offering the best experience for students so when a new opportunity presented itself, it was open to it.

"We know students love Starbucks," she said.

Maro noted that this location, like other kiosks in hospitals and schools, offers all "the products that a full store would minus desserts."

Maro said brewed Starbucks coffee is also offered at the food court, and the Mustang Express offers brewed Starbucks as well as cappuccino.

"We've had good feedback from the students," Maro said, adding that the Coffeehouse is open to the public.

"It's exciting that a Starbucks coffeehouse is here," said Anderson, a junior speech communication major.

The coffeehouse offers the familiar Starbucks fare such as Tazo chai latte, cappuccino, caffee mocha and caramel macchiato. There are also coffee-free drinks - a creme vanilla bean or strawberries and creme drink.